Moore Square is often seen as a place of gathering + recreation for Raleighites. If you head over to the Downtown spot now, you might see a jazz band playing or a local artisan selling their work.
But if you walked past the square ~160 years ago, you might discover that Moore Square served as sleeping quarters for Union soldiers after the Civil War — and the area’s history doesn’t end there.
Located at 200 S. Blount St. (across from Marbles Kids Museum), Moore Square has been a part of the Raleigh community for 225+ years. In 1792, William Christmas was sent to Raleigh to survey the area for the new state capital. In William’s plan for the city, Moore Square was one of 4 squares anchoring the city and designated for public use — only Moore Square and Nash Square remain.
The square was named after Alfred E. Moore (former NC State Attorney General and US Supreme Court Associate Justice). Alfred also helped found the nation’s first public university — serving on the board of trustees for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from the school’s establishment in 1789 until 1807.
During the 19th century, Moore Square took on Baptist Grove as a secondary nickname. A congregation of Baptists began to meet in Moore Square + eventually built a small wooden church on-site. The church was used for nearly 50 years, until the congregation disbanded and built separate churches in ~1859.
The square was also the site of Eastern Ward school (also known as Baptist Grove School). The district school was built in the 1840s + operated until around 1861 — when the Civil War began. Throughout the Civil War, Moore Square was used by local companies and troops as they prepared to march into battle. It’s believed Union soldiers settled on Moore Square and remained there from 1865-1871.
The landscape of Moore Square has changed drastically over time. What was once an open field is now a park with walkways, benches, and trees. In 2017, Moore Square was temporarily closed for renovations + reopened in 2019 with a fresh look and new features — including a small splash pad for children, 2 lawn areas, and 30-foot-wide sidewalks on the south edge of the park (where the Moore Square Market is held).
If you’re interested in learning more about Moore Square, the Moore Square Visitor Center features a history exhibit detailing the historic significance of the square + surrounding district to the city of Raleigh. It is located at 226 E. Martin St. and is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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